William Boyland TagAll blog entries tagged as William Boylandhttp://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/the-eye-opener/latest
Tue, 03 Mar 2015 22:38:50 +0000Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Managementen-gbJudge: Wiretapped Legislators' Names Can Be Revealedhttp://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/the-eye-opener/entry/state/2013/05/07/huntley-indictment-shows-sky-is-falling-for-numerous-legislators-
http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/the-eye-opener/entry/state/2013/05/07/huntley-indictment-shows-sky-is-falling-for-numerous-legislators-A judge has ruled that the names of eight people who spoke on wiretaps with former state Sen. Shirley Huntley can be made public tomorrow.

Huntley, who pleaded guilty to funnelling tens of thousands of dollars in public money to a bogus charity that she operated, wore a wire for federal prosecutors for several months last year.

What makes Huntley's case so interesting is that prosecutors are arguing that the names should not be released because doing so could compromise ongoing investigations. Six of the eight people Huntley spoke to while wearing a wire are elected officials.

Judge Jack Weinstein wrote in his ruling that he isn't worried that revealing these names will ruin any cases.

"Every legislator who has conversed with this defendant will necessarily assume that he or she wasrecorded under the supervision of the FBI," he wrote. "There will be no surprises to the potentially accused by the revelations of their names. Interference with ongoing investigations will be of almost no significance."

Weinstein also wrote off concerns that revealing the names could taint elected officials before they are convicted of any crime.

"The argument that some may avoid lending their talents to public life in order to avoid its slurs has slight weight," he continued. "Since this country’s beginning, when Jefferson, Hamilton, Burr, and others began developing the art of American politics, anyone who entered the arena of government has understood that his or her good name may be unfairly sullied. Yet, the honor and excitement of serving the public has not inhibited our best people from entering the fray of politics."

Earlier this week, Sen. John Sampson was indicted on embezzelment charges and faces 120 years in prison. Sen. Malcolm Smith was arrested in a corruption scheme to bribe his way onto the Republican ticket for NYC mayor in early April. Assemblyman Eric Stevenson was arrested for taking bribes for legislation only a few days later. Assemblyman Vito Lopez is being investigated for numerous accusations of sexual harassment. And Assemblyman William Boyland faces fresh charges in what seems to be a neverending line of indictments for the troubled legislator.

Come tomorrow we could get a better idea of who is going to soon join the list of legally troubled leigslators.

]]>dking@gothamgazette.com (David Howard King)StateTue, 07 May 2013 21:08:12 +0000Another Indictment For Embattled Assemblyman Boylandhttp://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/the-eye-opener/entry/state/2013/03/18/another-indictment-for-boyland-
http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/the-eye-opener/entry/state/2013/03/18/another-indictment-for-boyland-Assemblyman William Boyland has been indicted on federal wire fraud on charges he falsely filed per diem reimbursement requests for travel while he was actually meeting with undercover FBI agents.

Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office decided to withold future per diem payments from Boyland in February after examining his requests.

Here is a statement from DiNapoli's office of Boyland's new indictment:

My office's examination of Mr. Boyland's expenses found a blatant pattern of abuse. The actions of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Loretta E. Lynch and the U.S. Department of Justice sends a clear message that elected officials who try to enrich themselves and break the public trust will be held accountable. The Office of State Comptroller will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials in this serious matter.

Wednesday saw the third day of protests in Flatbush following the shooting death of 16-year-old Kimani Gray on Saturday. Gray was shot seven times in the front and back of the body by New York Police Department officers. Police officials say Gray brandished a handgun and pointed it at them. A number of community members have voiced skepticism of the official police account. Protesters clashed with police yesterday at 54th Street and Church Avenue. It isn't clear how many were arrested. The shooting has only heightened tensions in a community where police are aggressivley pursuing gangs.